Are you currently an adult caregiver? If so, you should know that you are not alone. Approximately 16 percent of the country’s adult population is caring for someone who is 50 years of age and older. Many of these caregivers have full-time jobs and children under the age of 18.
Almost 80 percent of these caregivers have to ask other family members and friends for assistance. Unfortunately, they are unable to provide total care for their loved one. In addition, those who travel spend over $400 a month in additional expenses related to travel. Although an adult care giver realizes that their loved one needs assistance, they begin to understand that the care their loved one needs is more than they can provide. Housekeeping, meal preparation, transportation, and personal care tasks can eventually take their toll on family members and the entire family dynamic.
If caring for your loved one has become too much for you to handle, you can contact a professional home healthcare agency. The agency can help you get your loved one the care and assistance he or she needs.
Does Your Loved One Need Assistance?
The first thing that you should do is assess your loved one’s needs. Are his or her needs changing? Some of the signs you should look for are:
- Disinterest in social interactions
- Bad hygiene
- Poor nutrition
- Forgetfulness
- Poor financial management
If your loved one is exhibiting one or more of these signs, you and other family members will need to decide what next steps you will take in your loved one’s care.
What to Do When Your Loved One Needs Assistance
As stated, when these changes become noticeable, the family will need to meet to discuss options. It is also important to schedule a doctor appointment for your loved one so the doctor can provide recommendations for care and give your loved one a long term prognosis.
Fortunately, a home healthcare agency can be contacted to provide the client and the adult care giver with an assessment and a care plan to give you and your loved one peace of mind. The care plan will be tailored to handle your loved one’s specific needs.
So, if your loved one lives in the Houston area, contact us for a free assessment to learn how we can provide you or your loved one with quality caregivers’ support with a range of services to address any need.